Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wisdom 11:22-12:2 | You are merciful to all, because you love all that exists

In your sight, Lord, the whole world is like a grain of dust that tips the scales,

like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground.

Yet you are merciful to all, because you can do all things

and overlook men’s sins so that they can repent.

Yes, you love all that exists, you hold nothing of what you have made in abhorrence,

for had you hated anything, you would not have formed it.

And how, had you not willed it, could a thing persist,

how be conserved if not called forth by you?

You spare all things because all things are yours, Lord, lover of life,

you whose imperishable spirit is in all.

Little by little, therefore, you correct those who offend,

you admonish and remind them of how they have sinned,

so that they may abstain from evil and trust in you, Lord.

Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13b-14 | I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

  I will give you glory, O God my king,

  I will bless your name for ever.

  I will bless you day after day

  and praise your name for ever.

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

  The Lord is kind and full of compassion,

  slow to anger, abounding in love.

  How good is the Lord to all,

  compassionate to all his creatures.

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

  All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,

  and your friends shall repeat their blessing.

  They shall speak of the glory of your reign

  and declare your might, O God.

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

  The Lord is faithful in all his words

  and loving in all his deeds.

  The Lord supports all who fall

  and raises all who are bowed down.

I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 | The name of Christ will be glorified in you, and you in him

We pray continually that our God will make you worthy of his call, and by his power fulfil all your desires for goodness and complete all that you have been doing through faith; because in this way the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you and you in him, by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  To turn now, brothers, to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we shall all be gathered round him: please do not get excited too soon or alarmed by any prediction or rumour or any letter claiming to come from us, implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived.

Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens! | cf. Lk 19:38, 2:14 

OR

God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son: everyone who believes in him has eternal life. | Jn 3:16

Luke 19:1-10 | Salvation comes to the house of Zacchaeus

Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’

Scripture readings taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd, and used by permission of the publishers'